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FOR GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION. 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, 



£D 



AND THE 



COLONY AT LIBERIA. 



PUBLISHED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 
I » 



BOSTON: 

PRINTED BY PEIRCE & PARKER. 

1831. 



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ADVERTISEMENT. 

Many of the following facts were published in a pamphlet last year with 
special reference to the Fourth of July. They were intended for the use of 
Clergymen and others who might be willing to address public assemblies in be- 
half of the American Colonization Society, but who had not leisure to collect 
authentic information respecting tlie plans and proceedings of that Society. 
The courteous manner in which that pamplilet was received encourages the 
hope that this new and improved statement of facts, will also meet with a wel- 
come reception, and answer the same valuable purpose. Immense benefit has 
already resulted from Fourth-of-Jnly addresses on this subject. A flood of 
light has thus been poured upon tlie forlorn condition of our coloured popu- 
lation : a deep public sympathy has been awakened ; and liberal contribu- 
tions have been made for their relief On the last anniversary almost 11,000 
dollars were collected — a sum sufficient to transport 550 emigrants to Liberia 
— and yet more than nine tenths of the religious societies in New-England con- 
triouted notldng. 

Will not clergymen of all denominations throughout the land, on that day of 
our nation's Jubilee, remind their people of the crushed and bleeding children 
of Africa.^ Will they not stand prepared, either on that day, or on the Sab- 
bath preceding or following, to plead in their behalf.' If there be a single en- 
terprise of this age, combining all the motives which can move the heart of 
man, it is that which looks to the well-being of the African .' Justice and mer- 
cy, obligation and interest, the voice of humanity within us, the voice of eter- 
nal justice from the heavens, the cries of two millions of suffering men in our 
own land, the claims of sixty millions in Africa, for whom Christ died — all 
speak to us with an earnestness, which cannot without guilt be disregarded. 

The nature and duties of the sacred' office authorize and encourage us to 
make this appeal to clergymen in particular. While it is incumbent on all to 
" do justice and love mercy," they are peculiarly set apart and commissioned 
by the Lord himself, " to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the 
captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." 



STATEMENT OF FACTS. 



Formation and object of the Society. 

This Society was formed at Washington, December 1816. It 
owes its origin principally to the philanthropic efforts of General 
Mercer of Virginia, the Rev. Dr. Finley of New Jersey, the Rev. 
S. J. Mills, and a ^evf others of a kindred spirit. 

"The object to which its attention is to be exclusively directed, is 
to promote and execute a plan of colonizing (with their own con- 
sent) the free people of color residing in our country, in Africa, or 
such other place as Congress shall deem most expedient." [Article 
2d of the Constitution.] 

Number of Auxiliary Societies. 

In Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ver- 
mont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland Virginia, 
North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, 
auxiliary State Societies have been formed. Besides these about 
two hundred County and Town Auxiliaries have been reported. 

Income of the Society. 

It has hitherto had no assistance from the General Government ; 
yet its annual reports exhibit a gradual increase in the sums received. 
In eight years, from 1821 to 1828 inclusive the amount of donations 
was $82,164, 72. During the year 1829 the receipts amounted to 
^20,295, 61. And in 1830 the amount received was 826,573, 51. 

Patronized by Legislatures and Distinguished Men. 

The Legislatures of fourteen States have passed resolutions ap- 
proving the object of the Society, and recommending a system of 
foreign colonization. These States are New Hampshire Vermont, 
Massachusetts Connecticut New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indi- 
ana. The Legislature of Louisiana have the same under consider- 
ation. 



A large number of men of distinguished eminence, in different 
parts of the union have warmly expoused the cause of the Society. 
Among whom are Charles Carroll of Carrolton Wm. H. Crawford, 
Henry Clay, Jeremiah Day, D. D. Chief Justice Marshall, Richard 
Rush, Rt. Rev. Bishop White, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Jolin Cot- 
ton Smith, David L. Morrill, Elijah Paine of Vermont. The late 
Hon. Bushrod Washington of Virginia, and the late Lt. Gov. Phil- 
ips of Mass. were efficient members of the Society. Gen. Lafayette 
of France is one of its Vice Presidents. 

Nearly all the ecclesiastical bodies of the United States, have, 
by resolutions solemnly expressed their opinion that this Society, 
merits the consideration and favor of the whole Christian communi- 
ty, and earnestly recommend it to their patronage. 

Indirect good accomplished hy the Society. 

To say nothing of the assistance already afforded to the emigrants, 
in enabling them to establish themselves on the coast of Africa with 
so fair a prospect of future comfort and prosperity, the Society has 
accomplished great good by the diffusion of information, by provok- 
ing discussion, and by calling forth powerful sympathies in favor of 
the Africans generally. 

Establishment of the Colony. 

In December, 1821, Dr. Eli Ayres, with Captain Stockton, of the 
United States Navy, purchased the whole of Montserado, and a 
most valuable tract of land on the river of the same name. The 
first settlers arrived at the Colony in June, 1822. In this year Mr. 
Ashmun took charge of the Colony as Agent. To his zealous and 
persevering eflbrts is the Colony greatly indebted for its prosperity 
and success. He died at New Haven, August 1828, exhausted with 
the toils and fatigues he had endured, in giving strength and sta- 
bility to the infant settlement. Dr. Richard Randall succeeded him. 
Dr. R. died soon after his arrival. Dr. Mechlin is the present agent. 
The population of the colony is about 2000. 

Favorable Location of the Colony. 

Cape Montserado lies in about the sixth degree of north latitude. 
The first purchased territory presents the form of a tongue of land, 
twelve miles in extent. In 182.5, Mr. Ashmun purchased of the 
natives an extensive and fertile tract of country, extending nine 
miles on the coast, from the Montserado to the Saint Paul's, and in- 
definitely in the interior. The Montserado is three hundred miles 
in length. The Saint Paul's is a noble river half a mile wide at its 
mouth ; its waters are sweet, its banks fertile, and it is connected 
with Montserado by Stockton creek. To the original territory ad- 
ditions have been made, as the growing wants of the colony, actual, 



or anticipated, required. The country thus obtained, embraces large 
tracts of fertile land, capable of yielding all the rich and varied pro- 
ducts of the tropics ; possessing great commercial advantages, with 
an extent of sea-coast from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 
miles, and enjoying a salubrious climate, well adapted to the negro 
constitution, and not so fatal to that of the whites as many thickly 
peopled parts of the United States. 

" The location of Monrovia is the most delightful that can be im- 
agined."* 

Fertility of the Soil. 

The colonists themselves, in an address to the free people of 
color in the United States, August 1827, say, " A more fertile soil, 
and a more productive country, so far as it is cultivated, there is 
not, we believe, on the face of the earth. Its hills and its plains are 
covered with a verdure which never fades. The productions of na- 
ture keep on in their growth through all the seasons of the year. 
Even the natives of the country, almost without farming tools, with- 
out skill, and with very little labor, make more grain and vegetables 
than they can consume, and often more than they can sell." " We 
have no dreary winter here, for one half of the year to consume 
the productions of the other half. Nature is constantly renewing 
herself, and constantly pouring her treasures all the year round into 
the laps of the industrious." 

" The extent .of fertile land is capable, with very moderate in- 
dustry, of supporting a great increase of population, not the one 
hundreth part of that we have passed over being made any use of 
whatever. "t 

" The lands on both ^desof Stockton creek are of the very best 
quality, being a rich, light alluvion, equal in every respect to the 
best lands on the southern rivers of the United States."| 

Agriculture of the Colony. 

Animals. — " We have," says Mr. Ashmun, in 1827, " horses, 
cattle in abundance, sheep, goats in abundance, fowls, ducks, 
geese, guinea fowls, swine in plenty. Fish nowhere found in great- 
er abundance. 

" Fruits. — Plantains, bananas in great abundance, limes, lemons, 
tamarinds, oranges, soursop, cashew, mangoe, twenty varieties of 
the prune, guava, pawpaw, pine apple, grape, tropical peach and 
cherry. 

" Vegetables. — Sweet potatoes, cassada, yams, cocoa, ground 
nuts, arrow root, egg plant, ocra, every variety of beans, and most 
sorts of pease, cucumbers, pumpkins. 

* Dr. Randall's Letter, 1828. 

t Tuckey's Expedition to the Congo, p. 108. \ Dr. Randall. 



6 

" Grains. — Rice, Indian corn, coffee of an excellent quality, pep- 
per of three varieties, of which either is equal to the Cayenne, 
millet and Guinea corn." 

Commercial Advantages. 

Francis Devany, Sheriff of the Colony, an emancipated slave 
who went to the Colony seven years ago, testified before a commit- 
tee of Congress, May 1830, that he had accumulated property to the 
amount of $20,000, and that Waring another Colonist had sold 
goods to the amount of $70,000 in a year. Two of the Colonists 
own vessels, both of which would be engaged in commerce with this 
country, but for want of a national flag. They now export chiefly 
dye-woods, hides, ivory, gold, palm-oil and rice. They receive in 
exchange, cotton cloth, tobacco, powder and arms. 

The nett profits on the two articles of wood and ivory, passing 
through the hands of the settlers at Liberia from Jan. 1st 182G, to 
June 15th, 1826, was $30,786. Eight vessels traded to the colony 
from Philadelphia last year, one bearing a cargo worth $25,000. 

JVeio York Daily Mvcrtiser. 

Climate. 

" I am much pleased," says Dr. Randall, " with the climate, lo- 
cation, fertility, and population of Liberia. The climate is, at this 
season, [December 28,] most delightful, It is not very warm du- 
ring the day, and at night it is cool enough to sleep with comfort un- 
der a blanket." "I consider the town of Monrovia quite as healthy 
as any of our southern cities, and the other settlements on the 
Stockton and the Saint Paul's, have even a better reputation for 
health. I am the more convinced, from all I see and hear, that with 
proper precautions, and even moderate prudence, emigrants may 
come out from any of the northern States, with but little risk from 
the effects of the climate." 

" What has proved so very destructive to the new comers, is ex- 
posure to the sun — carelessness during sickness, both as it regards 
diet and exposure."* 

" After examination and reflection, I honestly think that the cli- 
mate presents all those obstacles which are the natural productions 
of a tropical soil, uncleared and uncultivated, but that they will 
yield to proper precautions ; and that nothing can prevent the con- 
summation of your wishes, but limited means, bad counsels, or feeble 
efforts."! 

" In the early years of the colony, want of good houses, the great 
fatigues and dangers of the settlers, their irregular mode of living 
and the hardships and discouragements they met with, greatly help- 
ed the other causes of sickness, which prevailed to an alarming ex- 

* Mr. Russwurm's Letter, 1829. 

t Captain Stockton's Letter to the Committee of the Colonization Society, July, 182L 



tent, and was attended with great mortality. But we look back to 
those times as to a season long past and forgotten. Our houses and 
circumstances are now comfortable — and for the last two or three 
years not one person in forty from the middle and southern States 
has died from the change of climate."* 

Mr. Ashmun remarks, " I will only say of the healthiness of Mont- 
serado, that no situation in Western Africa can be more salubrious. 
The sea air does all that can be done for it in this climate. One 
peculiarity is, that the night air is nearly as pure as any other." 

Government. 

" Our laws are altogether our own ; they grew out of our cir- 
cumstances ; are formed for our exclusive benefit, and administered 
either by officers of our own appointment, or such as possess our 
confidence. We have a judiciary, chosen from among ourselves ; 
we serve as jurors in the trial of others ; and are liable to be tried 
only by juries of our fellow citizens, ourselves. We have all that is 
meant by liberty of conscience ; the time and mode of worshipping 
God, as prescribed us in his word, and dictated by our conscience, 
we are not only free to follow, but are protected in following."t 

" What my sensations were upon landing, I can hardly describe. 
This town, (Monrovia) contains double the number of houses I ex- 
pected. The colonists appear to be thriving. You here behold 
colored men exercising all the duties of officers, which you can 
scarcely believe, many fulfilling their important trusts with much 
dignity. We have a republic in miniature. "| 

Literary Advantages. 

From the settlement of the colony, the interests of education have 
been promoted as far as circumstances would permit. In 1827, 
six schools jn successful operation. The Managers of the Society, 
in accordance with the wishes of the colonists, have recently deter- 
mined to adopt more vigorous measures, to secure the education of 
every child in the colony. A permanent school house is to be im- 
mediately erected in each of the colonial towns, Monrovia, Caldwell, 
Millsburg. 

A newspaper has been established at Monrovia, entitled " The 
Liberia Herald." It is conducted with great spirit, by Mr. Russ- 
wurm, one of the colonists, and a late graduate of Bowdoin College. 

Religious state of the Colony. 

There is at the present time, a Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyte- 
rian society in the colony. The Missionary Society of Basle, Switz- 
erland, have three missionaries in the colony. 

* Address of the Colonists, 1827. t Address of the Colonists. 

\ Extract from Mr. Russwurm's Letter, November, 1829. 



8 

Divine service is regularly attended on Sunday, and on Tuesday 
and Thursday evenings. Sunday schools are also well attended. 

Several men of color are now preparing to go out as ministers 
and teachers, under the patronage of the Protestant Episcopal Mis- 
sionary Society of the United States. 

The colony if prospered, is destined to exert a very happy influence 
in spreading Christianity and civilization over the whole continent, 
of Africa. Many tribes in the vicinity are earnestly desirous of re- 
ceiving religious instruction. One of them numbers a population 
of 125,000, speaking the same language. Four tribes, with their 
kings, have put themselves under the protection of the colony. 
Other tribes wish to avail themselves of the same privilege. The 
colony is rapidly extending its influence over all the tribes in the in- 
terior. One hundred children, from the neighboring clans are at- 
tending school at Liberia. 

Means of Defence. 

The colonists have organized six volunteer companies, containing 
500 men. They have twenty pieces of cannon, and small arms 
enough to equip a thousand men. A fort has been erected, and, 
though still in an imperfect state, has already afforded protection to 
an English vessel from the pursuit of a pirate. 

Progress of the Society and Colony during 1830. 

One State and about 90 County and Town Auxiliary Societies, 
were formed during the last year. The income of the parent So- 
ciety during the same period, exceeded that of any former year, by 
more than six thousand dollars. 

Four ships, with 315 emigrants, one hundred and ninety-eight of 
whom were emancipated slaves, arrived at the colony during the 
year. Three of these ships were sent out at the expense of the 
Pennsylvania Colonization Society. 

In the city of New York great interest has been awakened in be- 
half of the objects of the Society. The members of one church in 
that city have resolved to send to the colony fifty emigrants annu- 
ally. 

The Liberia Herald of Feb. 6th, 1831, says : 

" The changes which have taken place in the colony, during the 
publication of the Herald, (one year) are perhaps among those most 
worthy of notice. Every thing has improved — our agriculture, our 
commerce, have each shared in the blessing. Monrovia has almost 
assumed a new garb, and should things continue to prosper as they 
have, our town will certainly present the most desirable residence to 
a stranger, of any on tire coast of Africa. In Monrovia alone, the 
number of comfortable stone and wooden buildings erected during 
the year, are 55 — and if we take into consideration that Caldwell, 
Millsburg, and the recaptured towns have shared equally in this 
prosperity, we have abundant reason to be thankful for the showers 
of mercy that have been extended to our infant colony." 



Statistics of the Slave Trade. 

History. Slaves were sent by the Portuguese to Spanish Amer- 
ica in 1502, and transported in great numbers by Ferdinand V. of 
Spain in 1511. The tirst slaves were brought to this country in a 
Dutch ship in 1620. Slavery, with all its attendant evils, was en- 
tailed upon this country by the English Government, against the 
earnest remonstrances of the colonists. 

Means hy which Slaves are procured. 

According to Mr. Clarkson, about one half the number transpor- 
ted consist entirely of kidnapped persons. By treacherous wiles, 
the wretched beings are allured on board the ships, and the chains 
of slavery immediately fastened on them. Others are procured by 
setting fire to their villages at the dead of night, and seizing the flying 
inhabitants, and hurrying them to the slave ships. Another class are 
those who are delivered over to the slave-dealers, by the native prin- 
ces, on account of real or pretended conviction of certain crimes. 
Multitudes are furnished by the frequent and causeless wars, entered 
into by the avaricious chiefs for the sole purpose of selling the pris- 
oners for slaves. The regular slave traders have agents residing in 
different parts of the country, who procure, by one or other of these 
means, the requisite number of slaves. 

Evils. The mortality of seamen engaged in it is very great. 

Of 3,170 who left Liverpool in slave ships in 1787, only 1428 re- 
turned. Great Britain, JloUand, France, Spain, Portugal, South 
America, and the United States, have all been deeply concerned in 
this traffic. It is estimated that 40,000,000 of slaves have been 
carried from the coast of Africa since the trade commenced. It is 
probable that an equal number have come to a premature death by 
the wars, massacres, and conflagrations of towns and villages, on 
the African coast. 

Eighty Millions of human beings have then, it seems, been 
brought to a violent death, or consigned to returnless bondage by 
this brutal traffic. 

Abolition of the Slave Trade. 

In 1807, it was enacted by Parliament, that no slaves should be 
imported into the British dominions after March 1S08. In the same 
year Congress passed an act prohibiting the further introduction of 
slaves into the United States. The governments of Great Britain 
and the United States have declared the slave trade piracy, and 
those engaged in it, on conviction, are to suffer death. 

By the efforts of Great Britain, the Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, 
and Brazilians have by law forbidden this traffic. France has de- 
nounced it, and Austria declared, that the moment a slave touches 
3 



10 

an Austrian ship, he is free. Sweden has declared, that those citi- 
zens who engage in it shall not enjoy the protection of her laws. Sev- 
eral of the provinces in South America have enacted severe laws 
against the traffic, and also prohibited slavery in their dominions. 

The Slave Trade is, notwithstanding, carried on as extensively as 

ever. 

Dr. Philip, a distinguished missionary at the Cape of Good 
Hope, estimates the number annually exported at 100,000. In 1823 
Mr. Ashmun wrote from the Colony, that at least, 2000 slaves were 
annually exported from capes Mount and Montserado. In 1824, 
the African Institution reports 120,000, as the number exported 
from the coast, and presents a detailed list of the names of two hun- 
dred and eighteen vessels, believed to be engaged in the trade during 
that year. In 1827, one hundred and twenty-five vessels sailed 
from Cuba to Africa for slaves. Within the last eleven years, 322,- 
526 slaves have been imported into the single port of Rio Janeiro, 
that is an average of 29,320 annually. On the 6th of Sept. 1830, 
the British cruiser Primrose captured a Spanish ship of twenty guns 
and a crew of 150 men, having on board j^yc hundred and Jifty-Jive 
slaves from the coast of Africa. During three weeks of the last 
summer no less than nine hundred slaves from the interior of Africa 
were shipped from Galinas. The British squadron on the coast 
captured during 1830 four slave ships, and received intelligence of 
six others which were hovering about the coast. One of these slave 
ships had on board 561 slaves, of all ages, and both sexes, confined 
together in a state of nudity, under a deck just three feet in height ! 

The Slave Trade is carried on with greater cruelty than ever. 

The following is the testimony of Sir George Collier, who lately 
commanded a squadron on the coast of Africa. " The slaves were 
crowded together, so as not to give the power to move, linked one to 
the other by the legs, never to be unfettered while life remains ; or 
till the iron shall have fretted the flesh almost to the bone, forced 
under a deck, as I have seen them, not thirty inches in height ! 
breathing an atmosphere the most putrid, with little food and less 
water, subject also to the most severe punishment at the caprice of 
the brute who commands the vessel." 

Within a few years one Oiscan, commander of a French slave 
ship, having completed his cargo of slaves on the old Calabar coast, 
thrusted them between decks only three feet in height,'and closed the 
hatches on them for the night. Fifty were found dead in the morn- 
ing. He returned immediately to the coast, and procured a fresh 
supply. The British schooner Primrose, while cruising off the Bay 
of Loango, found on the coast the bones of one hundred human be- 
ings, whom the king of Loango had brought down to sell ; but as 
no slave-trader happened to be on the coast, he butchered the whole 
in cool blood, to save the expense of feeding them ! 



11 



Colonies will put an end to the Slave Trade, 

That no more has been done towards effecting this object in the 
neighborhood of Liberia, is owing to the comparative feebleness of 
the colony. The case is different with respect to the English colo- 
ny at Sierra Leone. The native chiefs of Sherbro district, through 
their great desire to be shielded from the ravages of the slave trade, 
have presented one hundred miles of coast, southward of Sierra Le- 
one, to the colony. It is stated that all the coast in the vicinity of 
that place has been cleared of the slave-factories and slave vessels. 
Here, then, is an object of vast importance. Twenty or thirty colo- 
nies would put an end to the accursed trade. Several of the native 
chiefs in the vicinity of the Liberian colony, are ready to enter into 
arrangements to this effect. 

Number of the colored Population, and rate of increase in the 
United States. 

According to the last census the number of slaves in 
the United States, amounted to - . . . 1,538,123 
Do. of free persons of color - . . . 233,530 

Total, 1,771,653 
Reckoned at the rate of three per cent, per annum, 

the yearly increase of the slaves amounts to ' - 46,000 

The yearly increase of free negroes at 2J per cent. 6,000 

Total, 62,000 

The census of the present year will probably show a black popu- 
lation, considerably above 2,000,000, and a corresponding ratio of 
increase. 

Expense of transporting to the Colony. 

From the actual experience of those who have already been sent 
to the colony, it is ascertained that the whole expense is twenty dol- 
lars for each individual. The whole expense of transporting the 
yearly increase as at the last census, would amount to $1,040,000. 
On supposition that a vessel makes two voyages in a year, it would 
be reduced one half. And this sum would be still further reduced 
by embracing opportunities of incidental employment of ships en- 
gaged in trade on the coast. 

Slavery a great National Evil. 

The southern and northern sections of our country are parts of a 
great whole, and, like fellow-members of the same body, should feel 
a mutual interest in the good and evil of each other. It is certain 



12 

that a reciprocal influence is quickly and powerfully exerted how- 
ever widely they may be separated by party animosity, or local in- 
terest. As a nation we are one. Our political destinies are em- 
barked together, and together they must survive or perisli. As there 
is nothing in our circumstances or situation to exonerate us from a 
participation in the guilt and mischiefs of slavery, so there are no 
grounds on which we can claim exemption from a participation in 
the labors and expense of eradicating it. The evil is national, and 
has already become so inveterate by age, and enormous in its 
growth, as to require the energies and resources of the entire nation 
to check it. 

Slavery is a great Political Evil. 

The prosperity of a country is generally estimated by the growth 
of population and progress in wealth. If there is anything peculiar 
in the condition of our political system which tends to check these, it 
must be regarded as a great evil. The ratio of increase of the pop- 
ulation, is three-fold greater in Pennsylvania than in Virginia ; and 
the value of property in the former has been greatly enhanced, 
while in the latter it has suffered a very considerable depreciation — 
a problem of which we can find but one solution. To a person, 
visiting once fertile and wealthy districts, and inquiring the cause 
of present desolations, the only answer that can be given is slavery. 
Of all the great tide of population which rolls to the west, no lateral 
duct pours a renovation upon the " old dominion." The emigrant 
fears the country of the slave, and passes on to the wilderness. 
It is said that 8000 emigrants passed through Charleston, Va. in 
September and October, 1829, from Virginia and North Carolina, 
bound for Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Wherever slavery exists, 
disgrace and servility is attached to manual labor, and the yeoman 
who cultivates his few fee-simple acres, is treated with the neglect 
and scorn with which the vassal was treated by the haughty baron 
of England. Such a public sentiment cannot fail to operate very 
unfavorably upon the middle and lower classes of the community 
by discouraging habits of enterprise and industry. Its tendency is 
to drive them from the country or reduce them to the level with the 
slave. The fact that the latter is often realized, finds dreadful con- 
firmation in the prevalence of poverty, ignorance and vice. Whether 
it has been the policy of the Planter or not, it certainly has been the 
effect. If it were an object to annihilate an independent peasantry, 
slavery would be the fatal instrument. The banking system has 
been opposed on account of its tendency (o merge the property of 
the poor in that of the rich ; but all that is feared from that and ten 
fold more, is experienced from the system of slavery. 

Concentration of Slaves in the South. 

One of the most alarming features of slavery, is the concentration . 
of them in the more southern states. Slave labor in the more north- 



13 

em states is comparatively unprofiiable, and plantations arc gen- 
erally over-stocked ; and the consequence is, that they are constant- 
ly driven to the southern market. It is estimated that two thousand 
are annually sold from the District of Columbia and vicinity. A 
gentleman of Virginia estimates the returns of cash to be greater 
from the sale of slaves than the produce of the soil. Thus while 
their number is diminishing in Maryland, there is a duplication of 
numbers in Louisiana every ten years. Should the objects of the 
Colonization Society be realized, the domestic slave trade would 
be stripped of one of its most plausible pretexts, and southern slaves, 
instead of being concentrated in the south, would by its benevolent 
aid, be transported to their original home. 

Nothing has contributed more to retard the operations of the Colo- 
nization Society than the mistaken notion that it interferes directly 
with slavery. This objection is rapidly vanishing away and many 
of the slave-holding states are becoming efficient supporters of the 
national society. In the Senate of Louisiana during its last session 
resolutions were adopted expressive of the opinion that the object of 
this Society was deserving of the patronage of the General Govern- 
ment. 

An enlightened- community now see, that this Society infringes 
upon no man's rights, that its object is noble and benevolent — to 
remedy an evil which is felt and acknowledged at the north and 
south — to give the free people of color the privileges of freemen. 

The free-colored population are becoming more interested in the 
objects of this Society. Hundreds from North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia now stand ready to emigrate to Liberia by the earliest opportu- 
nity. 

The Managers of the Society at their last annual meeting, 

" Resolved, that encouraged by the kind Providence which has 
thus far forwarded their efforts, they will immediately commence 
arrangements for obtaining the necessary funds, and sending to Li- 
beria within the present year, six vessels from different ports in the 
United States, on the first days of May, July, September, November, 
January and March." 

Auxiliary Societies may he formed. 

Auxiliary Societies collect and diffuse information, afford a proper 
organ of communication with the Parent Society, and combine the 
wisdom of age, and the ardor of youth, in the accomplishment of a 
common object. It may be safely aflirmed that the people of Ver- 
mont would not have aided the cause with one third part of the con- 
tributions, without a State Society, which they have with one. The 
State Societies, in several instances, have called forth valuable 
speeches and reports. All the New England states, but Rhode Isl- 
and, have formed State Auxiliaries. 

Congress may he Memorialized. 

To the powers and resources of the general government, the Col- 



14 

onization Society have ever been looking. That Congress have a 
right to appropriate funds for this purpose, hardly admits of a doubt. 
By the constitution they may appropriate monies " for the common 
defence and general welfare." What object would promote the gen- 
eral welfare more than to bless and save our colored population 1 
Was the purchase of Louisiana and Florida a worthier object? 
Was the voting $10,000 a year for Indian civilization? Was the 
relief of the distressed inhabitants of Carraccas ? Was the 
appropriation of large sums for the Cumberland Road ? But 
Congress has already, in effect, sanctioned the measure, by employ- 
ing the navy in defending the Liberian Colony. Committees in 
Congress have repeatedly presented favorable reports. Fourteen 
State Legislatures have instructed their Senators, and requested 
their Representatives in Congress to lend it their support. 

Free Colored Population demand our sympathy and attention. 

They have claims upon us which ought not to be disregarded ; 
their condition is now overlooked to a most deplorable extent. 
When assistance is afforded, it is frequently afforded as a matter of 
condescension, and not at all with a spirit of kindness and Christian 
affection. We ought to take immediate and efficient measures to 
bring all their children within the influence of schools and religious 
instruction. There are noble minded men and women in every 
town, who will take more pleasure in instructing a class of colored, 
than of white children in Sabbath Schools. 

The time has fully arrived when systematic and vigorous meas- 
ures should be adopted to educate colored youth for school teachers, 
physicians, and ministers, either to remain in this country, or to go 
out to Africa. A fair experiment has never been made. There are 
difficulties in the way, but they are not insurmountable. Several 
promising colored youth in New England are now desirous to ac- 
quire an education. 



15 



MASSACHUSETTS COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 

On the 13th of February, 1831, a State Colonization Society was 
formed under favorable auspices, in the Representatives' Hall in Bos- 
ton. Hon. Samuel Lathrop, President of the Senate, was Chairman 
of the Meeting, and Wm. J. Hubbard, Esq. of Boston, Secretary. 

Various resolutions were proposed and seconded by Geo. A. Tufts, 
Esq. of Dudley, Benjamin C. Perkins, Esq. of Becket, Hon. H. A. 
S. Dearborn, of Roxbury, Hon. B. F. Varnum, of Dracut, Hon. S. 
C Phillips, of Salem, Rev. Charles Train, of Framingham, and Ira 
Barton, Llsq. of Oxford. Several of these gentlemen addressed the 
meeting in an able and interesting manner. 

A Constitution was adopted, and the following officers elected : 

Hon. Samuel Lathrop, President, 

Jerome V. C. Smith, M. D. Boston, Secretary, 

Isaac Mansfield, Esq. Boston, Treasurer. 

12 Vice Presidents were chosen, and the following gentlemen as 
Managers : 

Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, Dedham, 
S. T. Armstrong, Esq. Boston, 
Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, Boston, 
Wm. B. Reynolds, Esq. Boston, 
Rev. Charles Train, Framingham, 
Hon. John W. Lincoln, Worcester, 
Hon. George Hull, Sandisfield, 
Patrick Boies, Esq. Granville, 
Dea. Moses Grant, Boston, 
Nathaniel R. Cobb, Boston, 
Charles Tappan, Esq. Boston, 
Prof. S. M. Worcester, Amherst, 
George A. Tufts, Esq. Dudley, 
JosiAH RoBBiNs, Esq. Plymouth, 
Dr. John S. Butler, Worcester, 
Ira Barton, Esq. Oxford, 
Thomas A. Greene, Esq. Neto Bedford, 
Charles Stoddard, Boston, 
Eliphalet Williams, Esq. Northampton, 
Rev. Alonzo Potter, Boston. 

The following resolution, among others, was passed ; 

Resolved, That the Clergy of all religious denominations in the 
Commonwealth be respectfully requested to present the interests of 
the American Colonization Society to their respective Congrega- 
tions on the fourth of July next, or on the preceding or following 
Sunday, and to solicit contributions in its behalf. 

*^* A series of resolutions was passed in March last by the Le- 
gislature of Massachusetts, requesting the Senators and Represen- 



16 

tatives in Congress, from this State, to use their influence, in all 
constitutional ways, to promote the designs of the American Colo- 
nization Society, by enlisting in its behalf the patronage of the 
General Government. Thirteen States had previously passed similar 
resolutions. 

*^* Flourishing Societies may be formed, witliout difficulty, in all 
the Counties of this Commonwealth. There has been one in exis- 
tence, for some years, in Hampden County. The friends of the 
object in Worcester County established a promising Auxiliary, a few 
months since. 

The following notice appeared on the cover of the last African 
Repository : 

All collections or donations may be transmitted by mail, to Rich- 
ard Smith, Esq. Treasurer, Washington City, or to tiie Treasurer of 
any of the State Societies. The Treasurers of State or other Aux- 
iliary Societies, with whom collections may be deposited, will please 
send to us the names of all clergymen by whom the collections were 
taken up, that they may be early supplied with the Repository. All 
communications relating to the general interests of (he Society, or 
the Editorial Department of the Repository, to be directed to U. R. 
Gurley, Secretary, Washington. Those relating to the pecuniary 
concerns of the Repository, to James C. Dunn, Georgetown, D. C. 

*^* Gerrit Smith, Esq. of Peterboro', N. Y. has proposed to raise 
$100,000, for the Society in ten years, by securing 100 subscribers, 
who will pay J^lOO annually, during thai time. Thirti/-four per- 
sons, and Associations have adopted the measure already. 

0;^ All clergyman who take up contributions for the Coloniza- 
tion Society, are entitled to receive a copy of the African Repository 
— the valuable monthly periodical of the Society, gratis. ' 

*^* Donations and contributions, may be forwarded to Richard 
Smith, Esq. Treasurer American Colonization Society, Washington ; 
Isaac Mansfield, Escj. Treasurer Massachusetts Colonization Society, 
Boston ; l^^ev. Asa Cummings, Portland, Maine ; George A. Kent, 
Esq. Treasurer New Ilanipsliire Colonization Society, Concord ; 
Hon. Jeduthun Loomis, Treasurer Vermont Colonization Society, 
Woodstock ; or Rev. Chester Wright, Secretary, Montpelier ; Seth 
Terry, Esq. Treasurer Connecticut Colonization Society, Hartford. 



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